Neutron Polarization

Abstract

Experiments for the determination of the polarization cross section $p$ of iron with monochromatic and non-monochromatic neutrons are described. The absolute value of $p$ as well as its dependence on the neutron velocity is found to be in good agreement with the recent calculations of Steinberger and Wick and also with other experiments. For a complex neutron spectrum originating from a paraffin moderator $\overline{p}$ is found to be (2.35±0.1)×${10}^{-24\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ in agreement with previous investigations. It is shown that the larger value of 3.15×${10}^{-24\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ found by Hughes, Wallace, and Holtzman must be due to spectral differences. The approach of the magnetization of iron towards saturation is also investigated.